BB Mukhia, the Pioneer of Nepali music

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Memories are made of this

Extracted from Daily News Service - Avani Purkuti

In Kalimpong on 9 June, friends stopped by to pay homage to well known Nepali musician BB Mukhia on his first death anniversary. Born in 1936, this eldest son of an underprivileged family at Soam Tea Estate is considered to have made a major contribution in giving shape to modern Nepali music. Christened Durga Prasad, he was to gain fame under the name BB Mukhia. He lost his parents early in like and was left to fend for himself. He drew upon inborn talent and started his musical career at the age of 13 with the composition, Dausi. Mukhia happened to be one of the three famous pioneers of modern Nepali music in Darjeeling, besides Nayan Subba and Kapil Raj Subba. The trio introduced Western instruments like the guitar, violin and keyboards to fuse in harmony with indigenous Nepali instruments.

Historically, Nepali music primarily comprised folk songs and classical bhajans, sung to the accompaniment of simple instruments like the madal, sarangi and damphu (Nepali instruments). When nepalis migrated to the Indian territories of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, their music was greatly influenced by western and bengali music. Arguably, modern Nepali music was born out of an amalgamation of these two genres over time leaving its traditional folk music. From Darjeeling district, where a few great Nepali musicians deeply involved themselves in the development of modern Nepali music, it again spread to neighbouring Nepal. Mukhia's lyrics thouched upon every aspect of human like - love for nature, sentiment, romance, patriotism, faith and religion. He composed a lot of bhajans, ghazels and classical based songs. Playing nealy every available instrument at that time, he would compose all his songs on his harmonium, a prized possession. Though most of his works were related to modern Nepali music, he was a keen listerner of Indian classical music.

Born near Darjeeling, Mukhia spent most of his life in Kalimpong, where he gained fame in 1953/54, when a Grand Durga Puja was held at Bhagdara. All the bhajans performed during the puja were his compositions. His songs, "Aayo kalo badal", was released the same year. From then on, many of his songs were performed during vaious cultural programmes and competitions. Among the singers were his wife Ganga Mukhia, Sailendra Ghatani and the late Bhim Pariyar. By the end of the 1950s, the other two renowned Nepali musicians, Kapil Raj Subba and Nayan Subba, visited Kalimpong and under their guidance and inspiration the Kalimpong Cultural Organisation was born. In 1963, it staged various musical programmes, where BB Mukhia won many hearts with his compositions. In 1965, his group of musicians won 65 trophies during a grand musical competition in Kalimpong. All the songs performed were his compositions. Besides he even wrote a musical play, "Bhai Tika". Though he received many awards, including the Rageshwari Kala, he clung to simplicity (a sign of Nepalese community), love flowers and animals. He also taught music at Pranami Balika Vidhya Mandir in Kalimpong.

His last offering, "Sunana aashu bhari yo geet", won first prize in a musical competition. In 2001, after suffering a stroke, he went through several months of illness before he passed away on 9 June. Mukhia had always wished to preserve his hits in the form of a music album. A wish that wasn't realised until recently. In recognition of his contributions to Nepali music, his family and fans cut an album of the songs dearest to him. Called "Shradhanjali ko dui thopa", it was released at the Kalimpong Town Hall's Ram Krishna Manch by renowned musician, comedian and footballer Pemba Tshering, who is locally known as Kira Kancha.
©Avani Purkuti

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